YYC Feature: ROSELING HANDMADE
Nicole Dougherty’s mindfully made hair accessories are stylish and sustainable
Handmade right in YYC, Nicole Dougherty’s hair accessories are a gorgeous example of an eco-friendly fashion option in our community! She started Roseling Handmade when she was on maternity leave with the goal of creating comfortable scrunchies made from locally sourced fabrics! Nicole minimizes waste in her production by finding uses for all excess scraps, and adheres to ‘slow fashion’ values by moving closer to a ‘made to order’ model. Each scrunchie is created in her YYC home by hand! Her styles are versatile and oh-so-pretty— they come in an array of stunning colours & patterns. We love that Nicole is, herself, an avid supporter of local in various ways, including by supporting Calgary fabric stores. Her mindful, community-focused vision makes Roseling Handmade a brand to follow!
You’re an engineer by profession! Is Roseling Handmade your first business? Has your engineering background helped you in any way with creating and launching your company?
It sure is. I have always wanted to have a business and creative outlet but lacked the confidence and quite honestly I didn't know where to start. I certainly think that my engineering background has provided me with practicality and strategic thinking that allows me focus in on the things that add value to my business and not waste time and resources on the things that don't. Aside - I started sewing scrunchies as I had purchased a few from another maker and found they were uncomfortable in my fine hair. I gave the extras to my friends and they loved them and soon everyone was asking for them!
It’s amazing that you started your company while on maternity leave with your second baby! You said on your Instagram that ‘sewing, creating and connecting with all you has been a wonderful distraction from the isolation that can sometimes come with taking care of a new baby’. Is there any advice you would give to other moms that are in the position you were in, and thinking about taking the leap to start a business or creative project?
I have a personal policy to never give unsolicited advice to anyone (especially new moms!). While on leave I felt like I didn't have anything "just for myself". I'm in introvert and enjoy spending time by myself - you don't get to do that a lot when you're at home all day with two little kids. I wanted something that I could enjoy alone and didn't have to share with anyone. Sewing and designing was it for me. That's also why I don't make products for kids! I want other women and moms to have something just for them. So, that said, my non-advice is simply that I found it incredibly fulfilling to have something "just for me", and I recommend that all moms give it a try and see if it works for them. Doesn't have to be a business, just anything that fills your cup!
In the fast fashion industry there’s mass production and a lot of waste. You brand your scrunchies as ‘mindfully handmade’— in what ways do you consider your products to be an ethical option for consumers?
I source all fabrics locally, most within Calgary and all within Canada. Everything in my shop is designed and handmade by me, in my home, and I have another amazing YYC mom who helps me out when things get busy. I strive to minimize waste by saving all of my scraps and finding uses for them. Lately I have moved closer to a "make to order" model for most items to minimize my inventory and thereby only purchase and use the materials that are needed. This method also helps to cut down on the "drama" of constant markdowns and sales - I want customers to buy what they need and can afford and not have to feel unfairly pressured.
What sort of locally sourced materials do you use, and from who?
Two of my favorite places to purchase fabrics are Cutters and Cloth (Calgary) and Blackbird Fabrics (Vancouver) but I have so many that I purchase from! I also often up-cycle fabrics from vintage garments and purchase "deadstock" from fashion designers to use for scrunchies and headbands. I focus on sourcing natural fibres such as linen, cotton and rayon.
Your scrunchies and other hair products are so pretty! I love the patterns and materials you use. Are you a one woman show making all of these by yourself? What part of the process do you enjoy the most (ex: picking the material, physically making the product, doing the photoshoots with the products after the fact, etc.)?
Thank you! As I mentioned, I have a really wonderful Calgary mom, Kat (who in fact has her own Etsy shop for knitted goods), helping me out with some sewing when things get busy. I do have a bit of a complex about trying to do everything myself (I believe the term is "control freak"... ha ha). I try, but it is not always manageable especially when preparing for markets. My favorite part of the process is coming up with new products and designs. I recently started getting into polymer clay, and I can't wait to bring some handmade clay hair clips into the shop in the near future.
What would you say in the greatest challenge or obstacle that you’ve had to overcome as an entrepreneur?
TIME! Oh man. I am the type of person that functions best when I'm operating at 110% of capacity, but right now, working full time from home for my "day job" with no daycare for my two kids and running this business on top of it all has been overwhelming. I am lucky to have a supportive husband and family that help me get through.
What is your dream for RoselingHandmade over the next 5 years? In what ways do you see your company expanding and/or improving?
That is a tough one, I am torn. Part of me wants to keep it small and continue to do everything myself, there is a certain charm to a small shop when all of the products are lovingly and mindfully made by the owner. To date I have limited my growth by saying no to retail opportunities despite many offers. The other part of me knows that if I dedicated the time and focused in, I could grow it, leave Etsy, pick up some retail partners and really go for it. For now I am staying small, but this is something that I am constantly thinking about.
What’s is a valuable piece of wisdom that has helped get you where you are today?
Leap and the net will appear! I don't know where that quote came from, but I have spent most of life being an extremely cautious and measured person who wouldn't do anything unless it was perfectly planned out. More recently I have adopted the 80/20 rule - I am by no means a risk taker, but I have a lot more confidence in myself to "figure it out".
Find her at:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/RoselingHandmade?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=782859347
@roselinghandmade